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Cape Town - Bournemouth defender Chris Mepham says team-mate David Brooks is fully deserving of the praise being heaped on him.
The 21-year-old joined from Sheffield United last summer but despite failing to nail down a regular starting spot at Bramall Lane, managed to hit the ground running in the Premier League.
Brooks has scored six times for the Cherries and has been named Wales' Player of the Year as a reward for his exploits.
As a colleague at both club and international level, Mepham has seen the playmaker develop at close quarters.
While the man himself has remained reasonably modest regarding his progress, his team-mate, who joined from Brentford in January, says he is fully deserving of the plaudits heading his way.
"It was very well deserved," he told the Daily Echo.
"This season he (Brooks) has shocked a lot of people, including himself.
"He came out in an interview and said that he wasn't expecting his progress to be as good as it has been.
"He's got tonnes of ability and he's a good lad to have around and is always learning.
"I think he takes on board what's given to him as a player and that's obviously a really important attribute to have."
